SUPER Whites fan Olive Walker really can claim to be a lifelong supporter.

And the 90-year-old will celebrate her birthday by watching Wanderers using her free season ticket — a gift from the club.

Mrs Walker, who turned 90 yesterday, first watched Wanderers in 1941 as a 17-year-old — and she saw her pal Whites legend Nat Lofthouse score two goals on his debut in a 5-1 victory over local rivals Bury.

From then on, she was hooked on the beautiful game, and her beloved Whites.

Mrs Walker said: “I knew Nat from when we were young. He really was a smashing bloke and he was very funny.

“I went along when I was 17 because I knew it was his first match for Bolton, but afterwards I was hooked and I have been going ever since.”

Mrs Walker, a former director of a textile firm, was a regular at Burnden Park with her husband and former police officer James Walker, who died 20 years ago.

She continues to go to games today with her 65-year-old daughter Pat.

She was given a free season ticket by the club for her 90th birthday to reward her loyalty, and was due to watch Wanderers take on Nottingham Forest this afternoon at the Macron Stadium.

After watching Whites for more than seven decades, Mrs Walker said her favourite period was when strikers John McGinlay and Andy Walker were at the peak of their powers under manager Bruce Rioch in the mid-1990s.

She said: “While Nat was my favourite player, that period with McGinlay and Walker was the best for me. They were all brilliant lads and there was a great sense of community and spirit at Burnden Park.”

However, the Mrs Walker said she was not optimistic about the team’s chances this season after a poor start to the season.

She added: “I don’t think we will make the play-offs the way we are playing. I don’t know what the answer is, but I could really do with them winning this weekend.”

pradagucci wrote:
BWFC. Boring Wandering Football Club. Took my nephew as we got free tickets and he actually fell asleep during the game, I was not far off either.

If he was with you no wonder he fell asleep. You were probably talking about your favourite subject to him. Jimmy, Rolf, Rochdale, Bradford

[quote][p][bold]pradagucci[/bold] wrote:
BWFC. Boring Wandering Football Club. Took my nephew as we got free tickets and he actually fell asleep during the game, I was not far off either.[/p][/quote]If he was with you no wonder he fell asleep. You were probably talking about your favourite subject to him. Jimmy, Rolf, Rochdale, Bradfordcalvin street